Gattaca - the World of Gattaca Is Focused on Genetic Perfection, Yet It Is the Imperfect Vincent That Achieves the Most

Set within a world governed by genetic engineering, Andrew Niccol’s film, Gattaca, portrays the dire consequences of such a society in “the not too distant future”. Given a pre-determined life as a “god child” due of his parent’s adherence to religious beliefs, Vincent Freeman is an individual who “refuses to play the hand he was dealt”. Vincent although seemingly cursed with an imperfect genetic composition manages to overcome considerable odds in order to achieve his dream of space travel.

From the moment that Vincent was conceived, he was born into a world where ridiculous restrictions were already placed upon him that prohibited him from pursuing after his goals. Antonio, Vincent’s father was aware from the exact instant that his “In-Valid” son was born that he did not have the necessary genetic traits, thus he deemed Vincent not worthy enough to bestow upon his own name. Throughout his childhood Vincent was constantly subjected to prejudicial ridicule from the so called superior “Valid” caste. Incidents such as the symbolic shutting of the metal gate in Vincent’s face as he was denied entry to a kinder garden due to the fact that “insurance wouldn’t cover” his apparently inferior status. Vincent was also subjected to taunting by his smug “Valid” brother Anton especially during their “favourite game” chicken. Chicken was an exhausting swimming race in which the two brothers would swim frantically “out towards the horizon” to see who would “chicken” out and swim back first. With constant taunts such as “come on you coward” it is quite commendable that Vincent remained motivated despite the slim chances of victory. When victory finally lands in Vincent’s hands during a “chicken” race, it leads him to reflect “it was the one moment that made everything possible”, for once the “imperfect” Vincent has beaten the so called “perfect” Anton.

Furthermore during the latter years of Vincent’s childhood he was confined to a life of solitude because he opts to escape from a loveless family. This isolation is what makes Vincent’s achievements even more remarkable. As Vincent grows as an individual marginalised by society, it seems his quest to achieve his dream is no easy task due to his “inferior” status that led him to comment “I must of cleaned half the toilets in the state”, a clear indication of the drudgery confronted by a person apart of the “In-Valid” caste. Instead of giving up and throwing in the towel Vincent shows great dedication to his goals by resorting to “more extreme measures”. This involved Vincent undergoing a transformation process in which he assumes the identity of a “Valid” Jerome Morrow. Upon introduction to Jerome, we see a bitter, cynical man who is obviously ravaged by an addiction to alcohol. Jerome who has a “genetic quotient second to none” is “burdened by perfection”. Jerome’s failure to win a swimming race consequently leads to almost committing suicide. Jerome who couldn’t accept his swimming loss prohibited him from achieving more with his obviously unlimited potential. Here Niccol attempts to illustrate the obvious consequences of engineering a “perfect” human; which is they lose their sense of desire as demonstrated by Jerome. Ultimately it is Vincent that provides Jerome with a purpose in life instead of wallowing in his own self pity. Thus the relationship between Vincent and Jerome gives Jerome a new insight on life in which he comments “I got the better end of the deal…you gave me your dreams”. Therefore it is only through Vincent that Jerome learns to accept his flaws and achieve inner peace.

In addition, upon Vincent’s entry to the prestigious Gattaca Corporation we see a sterile, clinical environment, where due to genetic tampering the occupants of Gattaca exhibit a regimented lifestyle. This machine like nature of Vincent’s colleagues